Asiya’s Diary

THE SLEEPOVER

ASIYA

"Hey Bess, I am so bored and you know we are going to start schooling by next week. Why not meet up and chill for some hours?" asked Latifa. We are currently on a video call, we are going to the same university here in Abuja but studying different courses and we'll be starting our first semester next week.

"Yes, I am coming over to your crib so that we can have a sleepover. I miss our vibes," I retorted

"That's a great idea" She grinned.

"Alright, let me quickly take my bath and go downstairs to tell Mama so that she won't say it's too late," I said.

"Okay, see ya," she mumbled and disconnected the call. I showered and came out of the bathroom. I dressed up in a black palazzo and red t-shirt then packed my clothes for the night, I descended the stairs and met my sister studying.

"Ya Asee, can you please help me with my maths homework?" she questioned me with the best puppy eyes she could muster.

"Yes sis, let me get and speak to Mama first," I answered and scurried away to Mama's room, I said my salam and entered.

"Mama please can I go to Latifa's? We are going to have a sleepover," I said and hugged her from behind.

"Oh just because your father is not around you think you can fool me to go and sleep there right?" she questioned with hands akimbo.

"Mama, it's not like that. I am just bored and you know I'm going to start university by next week. Please allow me dear Mom, please" I desperately pleaded.

"Okay, but make sure you come back early tomorrow, the driver will take you," She said.

"Okay Mama, thank you so much," I retorted and pecked both her cheeks. I came out of Mama's room and went back to the living room to help Rahma, my younger sister with her assignment.

"Hey Smallie, show me the homework," I ruffled her hair and watched as she opened the note to the page where she wrote the questions.

"Here," she said and handed me the book.

"It's algebra, give me a piece of paper so that I can solve it for you," Rahma obliged. I finished solving everything in about half an hour.

"Thank you, I love you," she blew kisses in my direction.

"Don't worry baby sister." I smiled at her.

"Okay, I am going to Latifa's for the night, see you tomorrow, " I waved and ascended the stairs.

"Please tell Ya Latifa that I still didn't forget about the chocolate cake she promised to bake for me," said Rahma.

"Okay bye, " I replied and got my bag. I picked up my phone and saw three missed calls from Ya Nura and five from Latifa. I called Latifa first to tell her I am on my way, then phoned ya Nura.

"Ya Nura, I miss you so much," I screamed immediately after the call was connected.

"You don't call and yet you say you miss me?" He huffed.

"Ya Nura you know you are my best brother and you and I will never do that to you" I pouted.

"Don't try that trick on me. So what's up, are you ready for uni?" he asked me.

"I am scared of the lecturers. I heard that they are wicked," I sighed.

"No, don't worry. Just focus on your studies and don't make bad friends," Ya Nura advised.

"Alright, thank you my one and only motivational speaker," I said and we laughed at my joke.

"Okay gotta go, bye, talk later," He said.

"Goodbye." I disconnected the call and quickly packed my toiletries in a small sponge case, I picked up all my necessary belongings and put them inside my bag then headed downstairs.

"Mama I'll be off now, please if Ya Abdul comes back, tell him that I've gone to Latifa's for a sleepover." I shouted and left. I don't know why he's overprotective.

"Malam Musa, how's your day going?" I greeted the driver and entered the car.

"Fine madam" He answered.

I don't know why I just don't like it when he calls me madam, the man is old enough to be my grandfather for crying out loud. The drive wasn't long because it's not far from my house.

"We are here," he said. I thanked him and opened the door before alighting the car. I walked to the big wooden door and knocked on it, Mami opened the door.

"Mami, good afternoon, " I said shyly. The woman hugged me.

"How are you, my daughter?" She asked me as I broke the hug.

"I am fine" I answered when we reached the living room. Latifa's sister, Ya Halima walked to where I stood to embrace me.

"Good day Ya Halima," I greeted.

"How are you sis? I hope you are here to stay for the night?" she asked because of the time. It was around five in the evening.

"Yes, I am" I answered and watched as her lips broke into a wide grin. She instantly collected my bag and went to keep it in Latifa's room.

"Mami where is Latifa ?" I asked.

"Your best friend is in her room. She is pretty delighted today. The girl even made popcorn for you guys." She gave me a light laugh. I just smiled at her and went upstairs to Latifa's room, I didn't bother knocking, I just barged in and met her on the bed in her pyjamas.

"I swear you are crazy, it's five and you are still wearing pyjamas," I sighed. She just rolled her eyes, leave it to my best friend to wear pyjamas every day.

"That's none of your business big head, now change into one of my pyjamas. Let's Netflix and chill let me go and fetch the popcorn I made for us earlier today," She ignored my rantings and sauntered out while I opened her wardrobe then rummaged through the set of clothes before settling on a knee-length gown, I slumped on the bed as Latifa came in with a bucket of popcorn.

"Are we selling popcorn?" I questioned, surprised.

"What is wrong with the popcorn?" She asked, confusion written all over her face.

"How are we going to eat a bucket of popcorn for crying out loud?" I released a sigh.

"Shut up and sit down, let me set everything then we should select a movie," She grumbled. I just took my seat on the floor. She tossed me a blanket and set the air conditioner to sixteen degrees Celsius so that the room will be chilly and we covered ourselves with the duvet after sitting on the blanket, she placed bucket of popcorn in front of us.

"Which movie should we watch?" She asked me.

"Let's watch Jumanji, the next level," I recalled the way we laughed till our stomachs hurt when we were watching the first one.

"Alright," She then played the movie.

Half an hour into the movie, we were laughing our guts out. Latifa even went to the bathroom to throw up because of laughter, we finished the movie, it was very interesting and I just looked at the bucket of popcorn to find it empty.

"Omg! Latifa look, we've finished the whole bucket of popcorn," I said. sounding flabbergasted.

"I told you it's not too much," She retorted and shrugged nonchalantly. Ya Halima barged into the room holding her iPhone Xs max.

"Hey guys. come and see something" Ya Halima said and showed us something on her phone, it was an i********: post from the Nigerian Northern page. As I inched closer, I saw it and before I could fully access it, Latifa read the caption aloud.

"Ahmad Rashad Mustapha, the most wanted bachelor in the whole of Northern Nigeria is finally getting married to Layla Mas'ud, a medical doctor at Nizamiye hospital. The wedding date is on the twenty-sixth of December... Allah ya basu zaman lafiya." The said girl finished reading and a photo of him holding his fiance's hands was displayed before the caption.

I stared in awe as he smiled adoringly at her, I can't lie, he is the most handsome man I have ever set my eyes on. Latifa has been talking about Ahmad and I thought she was exaggerating but now I know why she is crushing on him, he is even handsomer than how she described him.

"Earth to Asiya" Latifa jolted me out of my daze.

"Omg! I can't believe my crush is getting married, I am so jealous of the girl," Latifa sneered enviously.

"Keep quiet and wish them well "Ya Halima scolded her sister.

"They are perfect for each other," I said and stared at the picture again. Ya Halima went out of the room after showing us the post.

I just slumped on the bed as Latifa joined. The girl started rambling endlessly about her crush until her phone started vibrating, indicating someone is calling her, she picked up the phone and the caller ID showed Khaled's name on the screen.

"Hey babe," She lowered her voice. I don't know what he responded with but they continued conversing while I scrolled through my i********:, she finally ended the call.

"Love Birds" I teased.

"Go find yourself a boyfriend and leave us alone" She huffed.

"Hey, I ain't gonna date any guy till when it's my time to get married," I said.

"Okay, Miss Marriage" She mused sarcastically.

"Shut up." I fired back. Before she could reply, Mami entered the room.

"Come down and greet Daddy," She said.

"Okay." We chorused. I put on one of Latifa's hijabs while she wore another and we all headed downstairs, we said our salam and entered the parlour.

"Good evening Daddy." We chorused.

"How are you, my daughters?" He smiled and patted our heads.

"We are fine" We answered.

"Are you all ready for a new chapter of your life?" He asked us.

"Yes" We replied.

"Okay, good. May God bless you," He said.

"Ameen" We answered and Ya Halima came to inform us that dinner is ready. We all went to the dining room including Daddy. We sat down and watched as Mami started serving Daddy, and we ate in comfortable silence before he broke it.

"Asiya which course did you apply for?" He asked me.

"Fashion designing" I replied and took a sip of my chilled hibiscus drink.

"Okay, good luck with that." He said.

"Ameen" We all chorused.

After dinner, Daddy and Mami left the dining room while I, Latifa and Ya Halima stayed back to clear the plates and tidy up the kitchen.

"I still can't believe my sisters are going to university" She whispered.

"Oh don't worry about us," Latifa said.

"Keep shut. Who said I am talking to you?" She fired. I laughed and watched the sisters busy bickering, we finally finished and went back upstairs to Latifa's room.

"I don't think I am ready to go to the university, I am scared," She spoke silently.

"Don't worry bess, God will see us through" I tried convincing her and it worked.

"I am so sleepy" I yawned.

"Me too," She said.

"Okay, goodnight Bess. I love you" I whispered the last part.

"Love you too," She responded and switched off the light then we slept off.